Functional Module for a Vehicle Interior Trim, Interior Trim, and Motor Vehicle

Abstract

A functional module for a vehicle interior trim has a substrate layer, at least one detection layer, which is arranged above the substrate layer and is designed to generate a signal on the approach, such as the proximity and/or touch of a user, and a decorative layer, which is arranged above the detection layer. An interior trim and a motor vehicle have at least one such functional module.

Claims

1. A functional module for a vehicle interior trim, comprising: a substrate layer; at least one detection layer, which is arranged above the substrate layer and is designed to generate a signal on approach of a user; and a decorative layer, which is arranged above the detection layer.

2. The functional module according to claim 1, wherein the signal is generated based on a proximity and/or touch of the user.

3. The functional module according to claim 1, further comprising: a processor, which is electrically connected to the at least one detection layer and to at least one electrical element for a motor vehicle, wherein the processor is designed to control the at least one electrical element in a manner corresponding to a received signal generated by the at least one detection layer.

4. The functional module according to claim 1, wherein at least certain portions of the decorative layer are transparent or semitransparent.

5. The functional module according to claim 3, further comprising: at least one illumination layer, which is arranged between the at least one detection layer and the decorative layer.

6. The functional module according to claim 5, wherein the at least one illumination layer is electrically connected to the processor, and the processor is designed to control the at least one illumination layer in a manner corresponding to a received signal generated by the at least one detection layer.

7. The functional module according to claim 3, wherein the at least one detection layer is designed to generate a first signal on the approach of the user, and/or to generate a second signal on a further approach of the user.

8. The functional module according to claim 7, wherein the processor is designed to control the at least one illumination layer in a manner corresponding to the received first signal generated by the at least one detection layer, and/or is designed to control the at least one electrical element of the motor vehicle in a manner corresponding to the received second signal generated by the at least one detection layer.

9. The functional module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one detection layer comprises at least one approach and/or touch sensor.

10. The functional module according to claim 9, wherein the at least one approach and/or touch sensor is a capacitive sensor and/or a resistance sensor.

11. An interior trim for a motor vehicle comprising at least one functional module for the vehicle interior trim according to claim 1.

12. A motor vehicle comprising at least one functional module for a vehicle interior trim according to claim 11.

13. A motor vehicle comprising: an interior trim; and at least one functional module for the vehicle interior trim according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary functional module for a vehicle interior trim; and

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle with an interior trim having a functional module according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically shows a functional module 100 for a vehicle interior trim. The functional module 100 comprises a substrate layer 102, at least one detection layer 104, at least one illumination layer 106 and a decorative layer 108.

[0025] The detection layer 104 is arranged above the substrate layer 102 and is designed to generate a signal on the approach, such as the proximity, and/or touch of a user, in particular of the user's finger or hand. The decorative layer 108 is arranged above the detection layer 102. The illumination layer 106 is arranged between the detection layer 104 and the decorative layer 108. The substrate layer 102, detection layer 104, illumination layer 106 and decorative layer 108 are connected, for example adhesively bonded or laminated, to one another, preferably over their surface area. At least certain portions of the decorative layer 108 have a transparent or semitransparent design, with the result that light from the illumination layer 106 can pass or shine through the decorative layer.

[0026] Also provided is a processing device 110, which is electrically connected to the detection layer 104 and to at least one electrical element 112 for a motor vehicle. The at least one electrical element 112 may be a switch or actuator or sensor or an illumination means of a motor vehicle. For example, the at least one electrical element 112 may be or may be part of a ventilation system, audio system, screen display system, window, such as a window switch, seat, such as a seat switch, or the like. The processing device may comprise a computing unit and/or a memory.

[0027] The processing device 110 is also electrically connected to the illumination layer 106, the processing device 110 being designed to control the color and/or brightness and/or frequency and/or duration of the light to be transmitted of the illumination layer 106 on the basis of a received signal generated by the detection layer 104.

[0028] The detection layer 104 may comprise or be in the form of at least one approach and/or touch sensor, for example a capacitive sensor and/or resistance sensor. In the present example, the detection layer 104 is designed to generate a first signal on the approach, such as the proximity, of the user, for example the user's finger, and to generate a second signal on the touch and/or further approach, such as the closer proximity, of the user. The processing device 110 is designed to control the illumination layer 106 in a manner corresponding to the received first signal generated by the detection layer 104, with a light and/or a, e.g. illuminated, symbol being displayed on the decorative layer 108, for example. The processing device 110 is also designed to control the at least one electrical element 112 of the motor vehicle in a manner corresponding to the received second signal generated by the at least one detection layer, with the at least one electrical element 112 being switched on or off and/or being activated or deactivated, for example.

[0029] FIG. 2 schematically shows a vehicle 114, such as a motor vehicle, having at least one interior trim 116, such as a vehicle interior trim, which comprises at least one functional module 100. The at least one interior trim 116 and/or the at least one functional module 100 is/are designed as described above and/or subsequently. The at least one functional module 100 is incorporated into the interior trim 116, for example seamlessly. The decorative layer 108 of the at least one functional module 100 forms the surface of the interior trim 116 at least in certain portions, with certain haptics being created.

[0030] Furthermore, supplementary reference is made in particular to FIG. 1 and the associated description.

[0031] “May” or “can” in particular denotes optional features of the invention. Accordingly, refinements and/or exemplary embodiments of the invention that additionally or alternatively comprise the respective feature or the respective features are also provided.

[0032] It is also possible as required to extract features in isolation from the combinations of features disclosed above and to use them in combination with other features to delimit the subject matter of the claims by defining a structural and/or functional relationship that may exist between the features.

[0033] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0034] 100 Functional module [0035] 102 Substrate layer [0036] 104 Detection layer [0037] 106 Illumination layer [0038] 108 Decorative layer [0039] 110 Processing device [0040] 112 Electrical element [0041] 114 Vehicle [0042] 116 Interior trim